Aviator, The
Also known as: Vdhr 002-5073
Why it's listed
Rising twelve feet on the Central Grounds of the University of Virginia, this bronze statue depicts an athletic nude figure in an aviator's helmet, with outstretched arms supporting a pair of wings and a belt holding a knife. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum designed it as a memorial to James Rogers McConnell, a former student who volunteered for France and died in aerial combat in March 1917 as a member of the Lafayette Escadrille. University president Edwin A. Alderman commissioned the work in 1917, alumni, friends and students contributed funds, and it was unveiled in June 1919. An octagonal Tennessee marble pedestal carries relief carvings of World War I airplanes and inscriptions honoring McConnell. The statue is valued as an example of American Renaissance sculpture, blending Classical references, including the myth of Icarus, with an American theme, and as the work of a sculptor later known for Mount Rushmore. It was moved slightly as the campus grew but remains a focal point near the libraries.
Significance in brief: The statue is significant in the area of art as a work of the American Renaissance era by a master sculptor, Gutzon Borglum. It combines European artistic tradition, Classical motifs and an American theme, and it possesses high artistic values. It also memorializes James Rogers McConnell, a university alumnus killed in air combat in France in 1917.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 06000758, listed November 9, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 575 Alderman Rd., Charlotteville |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | November 9, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000758 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | 1919 |
| Architect / builder | Borglum, Gutzon, Sculptor |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century Revivals (American Renaissance) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still serves as a memorial statue on the University of Virginia grounds; it has been repositioned near its original location as walkways and buildings were added. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Rugby Road-University Corner Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.03841, -78.50546 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 06000758.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713293
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.